First, let me begin my apologizing for having allowed so much time to go by without writing a blog. I have discovered something about myself though, I tend to write best when something is stirring in my heart and I can’t shake it until it comes out. Well I have found myself in a season of constant stirring lately, especially in my professional life on staff at church. This season, more than others, have been filled with a peculiar yet repeated encounter. It involves people who by the way, are not planted in the church. They do claim to love and care about the church in the same way I do, yet can’t finish a sentence without spewing anger, and offense at the church for not pandering to their specific request. Let me just give the disclaimer – these are well meaning people that really think they are correct, but have along the way mistaken righteous passion with what I now call “religious terrorism.”
In the past three weeks I’ve heard statements like:
- “If you don’t give to my cause, I will leave the church.”
- “If you don’t endorse me and my ministry (while I’m being arrested for threatening others) I will have my lawyer call you.” and the most bizarre,
- “If you don’t meet with me and agree with my position, I will sue you.”
I also heard recently of a ministry that burn Bibles that are not King James Version, along with books from noted Christian leaders such as Billy Graham and Rick Warren. Why? They believe they are right and everyone else has missed God. They have chosen to make it public by destroying the very thing that they are supposed to share with the unreached world. I’m not that good of a storyteller to make this stuff up.
When did we ever need to resort to lawsuits, threats, destruction of property, and verbal bashing in order to defend our “righteous positions?” It is just not in the Bible! As a matter of fact, it is the same way the religious elite of Jesus’ day treated Him when He did not agree with them.
Here’s the bottom line: terrorism routinely uses fear as a motivator, and does not care if innocent people get hurt in the process. It is just not what Christianity is about. So, I have made a decision to choose to stay focused on what God has called me to do, spend my energy with what will build others and build up the local church, and not give in to religious terrorism. If you think my terminology is too harsh, please forgive me. I do think it’s a notch above “white-washed tombs.” (Matthew 23:27)
Religious terrorists. I love that term. Think I may have met a few myself. I’m pretty sure God puts them in our path on purpose. Forgive me for laughing a bit at the angry blog entry. You are surely the best man to field those kind of comments!!!! I think you are quite a few notches avove “white washed tombs”
Good for you for standing up to Schoolyard Bullies! When they say things like that to you it merely shows their complete lack of empathy and grace for others. In a disagreement the one getting the “loudest” (read: angriest, most unreasonable) is the one who is “losing”. Maintain your peaceful ground and don’t let the screeching guerrillas fluff your feathers.
This is my favorite post yet! So true.